From Cape Town (South Africa) to Antarctica

I recently received an e-mail wondering whether it was possible to get to Antarctica from Cape Town. The answer is yes, indeed. Cape Town is one of the few departure points to visit the driest, coldest and most isolated continent on earth. You can opt to fly from Cape Town in a private jet, no scheduled flights exist from South Africa. A company called White Desert still has availability this November and December (2009). They offer two tantalizing itineraries, one is a ten day expedition to see the Emperor Penguins (those of March of the Penguins fame).

White Desert does not expect you to rough it. Hot showers at the main camp and gourmet chefs accompany clients all the way. There's even kite-skiing for those with a taste for extreme sports. All departures are during the summer (November - January), when you'll enjoy 24 hours of sunshine every day.

Antarctica tourism is highly regulated and most visitors arriving by ship are those working at the various research stations. It's difficult to get a spot on a research ship sailing down to the Antarctica. Even Michael Palin when traveling from Pole to Pole, had to fly to Chile to complete the final leg of his journey. You could look for a job on one of the few research ships traveling from Cape Town, the MV SA Agulhas.

Rumour has it that ships also sail from Port Elizabeth in South Africa to Antarctica, but I couldn't find any information about this. Please leave a comment if you know of anything.

More Information:

• South Africa's National Antarctic Program
• Cruising to the Antarctic
• International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators

Can't afford to visit the Emperor Penguins? Check out their smaller cousins, the African Penguin, just down the road from Cape Town at Boulders Beach.

_{Image of Emperor Penguins -- © Getty Images/Frank Krahmer}